The Lord Demon King is Unfathomable!

[Dear Lord Demon King, this morning while inspecting my domain, I discovered a uniquely patterned beetle. Its markings resemble a four-leaf clover, extremely beautiful, and under the moonlight, it sparkled like a living jewel. I want to present it to you, hoping it brings you good luck for the entire day.

Additionally, the wine you bestowed upon me is delicious, but compared to the fruit wine brewed by the pointy-eared folk, I still prefer human red wine.

Long ago, I heard a senior mention that those pointy-eared folk stomp on berries with their feet while making fruit wine. Please forgive me for being presumptuous; I don't mean to purposely ruin your appetite, but it really sounds like footwash water, especially since they often walk barefoot in the forests.

If you enjoy the taste of fruit wine, the Land of Nightmare could also serve you. Besides, we usually rely on flying and seldom walk on the ground.

This is purely out of concern for your health.

Of course, as long as it's a gift from you, I will like it. :)

—The Queen of the Land of Nightmare, your most loyal servant, Qianqian]

[I received your thoughtful gift, but next time, please don't put a living beetle in the letter. Lately, I've been somewhat sensitive to live bugs.

What I mean is, how about considering making it into an amber specimen? That way it lasts longer and makes it easier for me to fashion it into a necklace.

Of course, I like your gift very much, and thanks to your well-wishes, indeed, many lucky things have happened today.

Additionally, based on my understanding of the brewing techniques in Thunder County, they likely use traditional methods too.

The so-called "blood of Saint Sis" is merely a marketing ploy.

—Luo Yan]

...

Long ago, Luo Yan realized that population is the greatest wealth.

Although the numerous miracles in this world are supposedly the will of Divine beings, at the end of the day, they are manifestations of human will.

In fact, even the Divine themselves were created by humans.

Here, "people" doesn't simply refer to humans, but broadly encompasses all sentient beings on this planet, including dwarves, elves, beastmen, Demons, Demonic beings, goblins, and ratmen.

Even "Little Gray," who doesn't possess a specific physical form but has awakened self-awareness, is included among them.

It's just that different individuals possess varying degrees of self-will; the weight of their souls differs, leading to disparities in the Divine's favor bestowed upon various races.

From this perspective, humans in this world are indeed the fortunate ones.

Whether it's the Demon God or Saint Sis, a significant amount of their attention is devoted to humans.

Even Luo Yan, a newcomer who just began his "Path of Ascension," after savoring its benefits, started showing a certain preference for humans on the surface—sometimes even rudely and brashly responding on Saint Sis' behalf to the prayers of those who suffer.

As time went on, the name of the Great Graveyard began spreading among the refugees, creating a "reputation effect" through word-of-mouth.

Especially among those gathering outside Thunder City.

Without a Lord driving them away, they gather together all day—either waiting by the docks for opportunities to work or for ships heading to colonies, or lingering at the camp by the city gates or near the slums of the Underground Street for charitable aid from city dwellers.

Such places are fertile ground for rumors.

Especially when the Underground Street harbors figures like Jack, the secret worshipper of the Demon King and Godfather of the Brotherhood.

With intentional manipulation from interested parties, rumors quickly spread—

It's said that in the southwestern corner of the Ten Thousand Ridges Mountain Range, a compassionate Mage used forbidden Undead Magic to save the displaced.

With summoned Undead, he helped refugees build wind-and-snow-resistant houses, using the bones of the deceased to construct walls for those in need. He exchanged silver and gold plundered from the wealthy for food to help the poor, and he concocted Magic Potions to heal the wounded...

Even wandering poets have woven what the rumored Mage has done—or hasn't done—into catchy ballads.

Though local residents have debunked these tales, claiming the one occupying the North Peak Mine isn't some benevolent Mage but the infamous Demon King of Thunder County, such refutations rarely reach the ears of the refugees. They mostly serve as fodder for adventurers to jeer at the gullibility of those drifters in taverns.

However, these places are inaccessible to refugees, so naturally, they can't hear what those well-dressed people are saying.

Even if they did hear, the scornful mockery would only strike them as harsh and noisy.

Compared to the biting ridicule, the warm and beautiful legends clearly resonate more.

Enduring the harsh winter, they are already pitiful enough; they neither wish nor have the obligation to endure lectures from those who shut them out.

They haven't turned into robbers solely out of respect for Saint Sis. But since their long-standing prayers remain unanswered, even their last remnants of morality and faith are being tested by their humanity. They don't have the energy to discern what's true or false anymore.

Besides, even if that compassionate Mage is actually the Demon King, what difference does it make?

Twilight Province lacks Mazes, and its residents fear the Demon King far less than those of the Campbell Duchy or Thunder City. To them, the so-called Demon King is merely a larger Demon; compared to that, the ogres of the Dimension Desert invoke far greater terror.